This morning as a sat reading God’s word, I found my way to 1 Corinthians. I haven’t really studied this since I got married so I thought it would be a good reminder.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ~ 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
[Biblegateway.com]
Then I decided to take it a step further and read my footnotes. [I have the MacArthur Study Bible, NASB…if you need a study bible I HIGHLY recommend this one!] Here is what the footnotes on these verses say:
In these verses, the fullness of love is described, in each case by what love does. Love is action, not abstraction. Positively, love is patient with people and gracious to them with generosity. Negatively, love never envies, or brags, or is arrogant, since that is the opposite of selfless service to others. Never rude or overbearing, love never wants its own way, is not irritated or angered in personal offense, and finds no pleasure in someone else’s sin, even the sin of an enemy. On the positive side again, love is devoted to truth in everything. With regard to “all things” within God’s righteous and gracious will, love protects, believes, hopes, and endures what other reject.
Good stuff huh?! I love getting into God’s word and realizing new things about passages I’ve read hundreds of times! Don’t be afraid to go deeper, to press in, and compliment your study with SOLID men who dedicate their lives to finding truth. [ If you need a few, ask and I’ll give them to you! But I BEG you, please don’t assume that any person you find in a Christian bookstore, website, or even church is preaching the Truth because it’s not true. ]
Hope that blesses you today!
Love,
-H-
